Lean Manufacturing: Applications in Healthcare

Janice M. Whitehouse, Director, Community Healthcare Initiatives, General Motors, provides an overview of this methodology, its use and results within GM, and the GM supported initiative to bring Lean Manufacturing tools and methodologies to healthcare providers. Jan leads community initiatives and manages Lean Implementation workshops that help providers eliminate waste and redundancies, standardize processes, and improve services. Jan is currently and officer of both the Greater Detroit Area Health Council and the Michigan Health and Safety Coalition. GM’s Lean clients include Johns Hopkins, Mayo, Cleveland Clinic and HealthPartners. Case Study results and lessons learned from provider sector adopters are featured.